“Blackbird Vineyards” Houston TX Wine Tasting

The WineCult recently attended a Blackbird Vineyards wine tasting at WineStyles in Spring,TX and their President, Paul Leary was the guest speaker. TheWineCult first learned of BlackBird Vineyards in the November 2008 issue of the Robb Report, and started our pursuit of finding, and tasting it (See previous BlackBird reviews on this site). The philosophy of Blackbird’s winemaker Aaron Pott is to make hand crafted, terroir driven, Pomerol inspired wines using Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals in the Oak Knoll District if Napa Valley California. Blackbird also has an extensive cooperage program in place using 100% French oak barrels from several different cooperages including Bossuet, Saury, Taransaud, Sylvain, and Sequin-Moreau.

The tasting: We started with the 2009 Arriviste Rose’, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. On the nose red currant and bright red cherries. A vibrant palate of fresh strawberries, peaches, and minerals, with a nice weight on the mid palate.

PC 90, JH 91

2008 Arise – Napa Valley Propriety Red Blend. The blend for the Arise changes from year to year with the 2008 being a blend of 42% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Deep dark, and rich color, with a concentrated bouquet of black cherry, plum, forest floor, tobacco,  Spanish cedar, star anise, menthol, and baking spices. The medium to full bodied palate shows layers of dark fruit,with elegant balance, velvety texture, and a nice generous finish. 1570 cases made.

PC 94, JH 95

2007 Arise – Napa Valley Propriety Red Wine Blend. The 2007 is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent 20 months on French oak of which 70% is new, and 30% seasoned.

Beautiful aromatic bouquet of black currant, black cherry, blackberry, Spanish cedar, Asian spice, rubbed sage, black pepper, and coffee, with a concentrated palate of dark and red fruit with a nice smokey component. The tannins are finely grained and well integrated and the palate is well structured and balanced.

 PC 92 JH 93

2006 Contrarian – Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine. The 2006 Contrarian is a blend of 38% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot, and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent 20 months on French oak of which 48% is new, and 52% seasoned. 

On the nose beautiful dark plum, black cherry, black currant, raspberry, licorice, coffee, mocha, and white pepper. The palate holds layers of black currant and blackberries, with tobacco, and earth. The wine shows great structure with an impeccable balance and long finish. 414 cases made. 

PC 93, JH 93

2007 Contrarian – Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine. The 2007 Contrarian is a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent 20 months in French oak barrels of which 70% is new, and 30% seasoned.

This beautiful full bodied wine shows complex layers of blackberry, black cherry, black currant, forest floor, truffle, leather, graphite, sasparilla, Asian spice, and Spanish cedar. The palate is full, and round with a silky smooth mouth-feel, great balance, and generous finish. 538 cases made.

 PC 94+, JH 95

2006 Illustration – Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine. The 2006 Illustration is a blend of 86% merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine spent 20 months in French oak barrels of which 82% is new, and 18% is seasoned.

Elegant and full bodied with black cherry, dark plum, black currant, roasted meat, leather, smoke, tobacco, and spice box. Velvety smooth palate and elegant structure. (Paul said ” Velvet painting of Jesus”) 1,195 cases made.

PC 93, JH 94+

2007 Illustartion – Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine. The 2007 Illustration is a blend of 70% merlot, 20% cabernet franc, and 5% cabernet sauvignon, and 5% malbec. The wine spent 20 months in French oak barrels of which 70% is new, and 30% is seasoned.

Beautiful, elegant fruit of black cherry, currant, tobacco, coffee, forest floor, fresh mint, and licorice. Well concentrated and balanced palate, with approachable structure and tannin leading to an incredible finish. 1,324 cases made.

PC 94+ JH 95+